Live: Music Picks June 25-July 1

Friday 6.26 THE HOOD INTERNET Don’t over-analyze The Hood Internet.
The Chicago duo—Aaron Brink (ABX) and Steve Reidell (STV SLC)—aren’t
out to legitimize the art of the remix/mashup. They use their laptops
to unite strange bedfellows like Grizzly Bear and Dead Prez in the
spirit of pure and simple body moving. Organic music purists might not
agree with the use of laptops to manipulate pre-existing material, but
in The Hood Internet’s capable hands the end result is undeniably
catchy. Some of their more successful creations bring together the best
of Amanda Blank and Vega, Phil Collins and Yelle, Ghostface Killah and
Beirut for universally appealing dance tracks. W Lounge, 358 S. West Temple, 9 p.m.

Saturday 6.27 VIBRANT SOUND CD RELEASE Many people recognize McKay Stevens as the man behind North Platte Records, an independent record label whose roster features some of Utah’s fastest rising stars including Joshua James, RuRu and Desert Noises. But Stevens, who also teaches at UVU and apparently never sleeps, started out as a musician and continues to play, most recently performing as leader of Vibrant Sound. The eclectic group layers hip-hop rhymes over loose beach-ready guitar for a light, easygoing vibe belied by thoughtful social commentary as on “Abolitionist Newspaper,” a song that samples Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream.” The powerful excerpts might cause listeners to first question what a Utah County white boy knows about continued racial injustice, then examine where they get off dismissing his opinions. Not bad for music that just as quickly makes you toss up your heels in devilmay-care fashion. Another fine outing by Provo artists who deserve to be judged on artistic rather than geographical merit. Velour, 135 N.University Ave., Provo, 8 p.m. All-ages. Info: VelourLive.com

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MATISYAHU, DUB TRIO Brooklyn’s Dub Trio are on a seemingly continuous touring loop, crisscrossing the nation and circling the globe with material that surprises folks expecting to hear chill reggae riddims. Instead, audiences are treated to a sonic assault of experimental electronic, punk, metal, jazz, ambient music and, of course, dub—as drummer Joe Tomino explains, “Dub is the original remix. You can essentially dub out anything.” Dub Trio are still promoting their 2007 release Another Sound is Dying (Ipecac), but hopefully they’ll get a break from the road soon and hit the studio to lay down new material. Don’t miss their energetic show warming up the stage for American Hasidic Jewish hip-hop/reggae headliner Matisyahu. In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South, 8 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com

Wednesday 7.1
CURSIVE Cursive walk a wonderfully jagged line between cerebral and primal
sensibilities, celebrating base instincts as on “From Our Hips,” by
analyzing our penchant to get hung up on words and expectations when we
should probably just go with the flow—“We’re all just trying to play
our roles in a play that runs ad nauseam.” The Omaha-based indie-rock
vets strike the perfect balance of head, heart and id on Mama, I’m Swollen (Saddle
Creek), an album that further refines the group’s alternately
gentle/frenetic horn-fueled, jazzflecked sound. Time, its harsh lessons
and subsequent battle wounds have been very good to Tim Kasher. In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.comComing Up Jonathon Richman (Kilby Court, July 2); VNV Nation, War Tapes (Murray Theater, July 3); Michael Dean Damron and Thee Loyal Bastards (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, July 3); Indigo Girls (Red Butte Garden, July 7); Girl in a Coma (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, July 8); Regeneration Tour feat. ABC (The Depot, July 8); Jenny Lewis, Bon Iver (Gallivan Center, July 9); Bad Boy Bill (Harry O’s, July 10); Fear Before the March of Flames (Studio 600, July 10); Cage (Urban Lounge, July 11); Jim Rose Side Circus (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, July 12); Death Cab for Cutie, Andrew Bird, Ra Ra Riot (Red Butte Garden, July 13)